I have struck gold!
I don't believe in accidents or coincidence. I believe we create our reality. And boy was I brilliant in creating the broker I selected to place my real estate sales associate license under. Because that person has turned out to be far more than just a boss, or head of the company.
He is a mentor. Not the kind we usually think of - young student with adult coach type...although I am still young... and he is an adult.
But this is different. When I appeared in his office, referred by his brother who is an attorney in the title insurance and real estate law business, I am sure this man wondered what in the world I was doing there? I had a wealth of knowledge about the environment and a strong passion to work on enviornmental issues. The past 8 years I had worked in real estate, but I was running Florida's conservation land acquisition program, Florida Forever, and managing the rest of the state's 11 million acres of land. No experience in residential real estate! (I had gone through the purchase and sale of my own 3 homes, but he didn't think that counted for much...?)
My first meeting with my mentor-to-be didn't go so well. In fact it took two meetings for the relationship to jell.... He did not envision that his business could help me, nor I him. I had already started an environmental consulting firm when I added the real estate license. But with a little persuasion, he bought into the idea of giving me a try.
We started having weekly meetings to get me started off on the right foot. Man, does he know a lot about real estate, sales, business, you name it and he's got experience in it! Seventeen years in the real estate business and he hasn't let any moss grow under his feet. His Army Ranger Training, and all that discipline paid off in big dividends!
But check out that motto! They mean business! And man, after a while, I 
learned what territory was safe and what wasn't....
My mentor surrounds himself with good "troops" - a high number are retired, or former, I guess is the proper term for military personnel.
Well trained, disciplined, and do they produce! I learn just by being around them!
My mentoring sessions are defnitely not like you would expect.....
We have some interesting field trips to teach me new techniques for AR blogs, very helpful. And he created a fall Team Competition within the office that has created a great energy boost for the agents, increasing listings and sales!
There's something to this espris de corps stuff! (I think that's the Marines, but it applies here too so what the heck...).
Bottomline, I suggest if you're new in the business, or you've been in it a while but this market seems to be getting you down... find a mentor...someone like mine, creative, energetic, loves the profession and wants to pass that love on to others, and ALWAYS Selling!!! I Mean ALWAYS!!! He never stops! That's the kind of gay or gal you want as a mentor... and everyone can use one in this business....
You'll never regret it.
Thanks Joe.... You are the best! 
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